So I had a minor setback this past week with my workouts. I started having pain in my foot that had progressively gotten worse over the past week. I haven't been to the gym in a week :( I eventually went to the doctor and had an x-ray done to rule out any fractures. It turns out that I have a pretty significant heel spur, on top of that, I'm having middle/side foot pain that seems to be plantar fascitis. The old me probably would have thrown my hands up in the air and said screw it and had a piece of cake to drown my pain and sorrows. However, the new and improving me decided this week, since I needed to rest my foot, I needed to step up my game on my eating. Over the past 6 weeks, I've gradually reduced my carbohydrates at my dinner meal, and this week, I finally said bye bye to them! Guess what happened??!?!? I'm down 12 lbs and 13 total inches total!!! **Happy Dance** I lost 2 more pounds since my last weigh in.

Now the old me would have probably said....I should celebrate with some pasta because I've earned it. Yet again, this new and improving me says, hell no! I'm gradually learning that food isn't a reward, it's nourishment and fuel for my body. I'm learning that I need to find other methods of rewarding myself for the hard work and effort that I'm putting in to better myself. So, I created a non food rewards list. For every 10 lbs I lose, I'm rewarded items from my list. With every 10 lb increment, the rewards get better and better. (well at least in my mind) In celebration of my first 10 lbs, I went this weekend and got a manicure/pedicure for a little pampering. I have to say, I've had many many mani/pedis over the years, but this one I am most proud of. I'm looking at my nails as I type, admiring how cute they look as well as reminding me why I got them done..My other non food rewards include things like: a 1 hour massage at a spa, a haircut/dye makeover, new pairs of jeans, a new purse, a 2 hour pamper session at a spa, a weekend getaway ,and ultimately my end goal of 115 lbs lost reward of a tropical vacation so I can wear a swimsuit :) These rewards may change as time goes on, but for the time being I'm sticking to my current rewards schedule.

I received an awesome reward on Monday when I visited my cardiologist for my follow up appointment. He suggested in August of last year that I seriously consider weight loss surgery options. I was a bit nervous going in there because I wanted to have lost much more weight than I have currently. I explained to him what I've been doing, the positive changes I'm making, and how I've been carrying out my promises to myself thus far. He told me that he can tell a definite change in my demeanor. He said I'm carrying myself differently, in a more positive way. I told him, I feel GOOD. I can't say when's the last time I've felt internally happy about my health. I finally feel like I'm doing everything in my power to get myself on track. He agreed with me! This is a big deal for me because honestly, for the first time in as long as I can remember, I feel like I'm back in charge of my health.